Production Time

3 Weeks

Dimensions (Width × Height × Depth)

Page Count

–

Paper Stock

Brown Kraft paper, 337 gsmNewsprint paper

Number of Colors

1 (black)

Varnishes

–

Binding

–

Typography

AachenTrade Gothic Bold Condensed No.20

What sounds more inviting than tapas-style modern European cuisine served in long, rustic communal tables in Shanghai? Not much, really. Especially with an identity as simple and delicious as the one that Foreign Policy Design Group did for Table Nº1. Using only black, the designers have achieved a wonderful texture in an array of materials printed on kraft paper and newsprint through offset printing and a handy rubber stamp. The design team also explored new production techniques, like Paper Clip Distressing.

We kept the design fairly simple using just one color printing to keep the cost down. With cost in mind, we also used the same Kraft paper for the cards and the menu folder. Newsprint was used for menu sheets & the leftovers were made into booklets of order sheets, so nothing went to waste.

We also picked up some chemistry tips on distressing the metal clips along the way. By submerging in water with some salt and then leaving it to dry, after which the ferrous residue formed to be wiped across the clip; step and repeat several times to achieve that desired look. We had to make several trials and experiments before getting to where we wanted, basically our studio looked a little like a chemistry lab during those 2 weeks. Later on, we also learned that we should be spraying a clear protective coating to prevent farther corrosion, as we want to maintain that look for a more permanent period. So much for chemistry experiments.

But perhaps the most challenging experimentation came in the preparation of the files for the client using, gasp, Microsoft Word.

Designing on Microsoft Word is a big lesson to be learned by any designer! Yes, for that flexibility of the restaurant staff to update their own menu, this has to be set in a MS Word template with proper guidelines and instructions for them. The client has to also purchase the PC version of the typeface used in order to deploy this in a proper and accurate manner. I think because the layout and design was kept fairly simple, it has been really quite successful for them, and for us.